It's 60 years old, a vivid shade of green and drives its owner to distraction.
Meet Gay Gordon, a 1955 Austin Healey 100M which is turning heads at motor shows across the country.
Owner John Smith, of Mirfield, bought the car a few years ago for £140,000.
After seeing it for the first time, his wife gave the car its name, due to its bright colours.
It is painted Florida green over white, as befits the colourful style of classic cars at the time.
Mr Smith said: “We had just come out of the war, with all the austerity, and all the cars at the time were black. The classic car makers wanted to be more colourful and bright.”
When new, the car was one of two used at the 1955 Earls Court Motor Show.
Although some 600 of the vehicles were made and sent to America, Gay Gordon is one of only eight right hand drive models, with others sent to Australia and South Africa.
Mr Smith, who at 57 is three years younger than the car, owns SS Components, a Mirfield company which sells automotive components, and has been interested in classic cars since he was small. He now has 20 in his collection.
“I’m a 60s kid, and when I was young my mum and dad didn’t have a car, but I always loved the sports cars at the time.”
The car, with the registration plate TAC 620, was originally owned by the Healey family, before another family bought it and kept it for 25 years.
It was given a full renovation 11 years ago, and is in excellent condition, although Mr Smith seldom drives it.
“With having a big collection of cars, I can’t use them all at once.”
But when it does go on the road, Gay Gordon is a star attraction.
It was the most popular car with visitors to the recent Beaulieu Supercar Showdown sports and classics day in the New Forest, winning the People’s Choice trophy.
“It’s the colours which first attract people. The interior matches the outside.
“I paid a lot for it, but it was money well spent.
“Classic cars are on the up and are making big money in America.
“But I have no plans to sell it on. I buy cars because I like them, not to make money.”
